The Champion

Rubin (Kazan) are the Champions again. Rubin are 8 points ahead of Spartak (Moscow), who came second and 53 points ahead of Khimki, who came the last.

Gurban Berdiýew confirmed, that he is going to stay in Kazan and “finish what he has started”. Rubin will presumably conclude a number of new sponsoring contracts, they have already change Nike for Umbro as equipment supplier.

Rubin’s new target is to preserve its top players, Cristian Ansaldi (Argentine international), Sergei Semak (Rubin captain), Aleksandr Bukharov (Rubin top striker).

The relegated

FC Khimki have gathered just 10 points in the season, winning just 2 games in the season. Coach Igor Chugainov is ready to stay in the club in 2010 and fight the way back to the Premier League.

FC Kuban were promoted last year and didn’t succeed in Russian Premier League. Coach Sergei Ovchinnikov (ex-Russian international) was fired and Armenian coach Poghos Galstyan took charge of the club.

The promoted

FC Anzhi (Makhachkala) were founded in 1991 but have already played in UEFA Cup and Russia Cup final. However they played in Russian Premier League only in 2002 season. Omari Tetradze, former Russian international, has been working with Anzhi since 2007.

FC Sibir (Novosibirsk), founded in 1936 has changed 9 names since that. Sibir has never played in Russian or USSR top league.

Who’s gonna play in Europe

Rubin (Kazan), Spartak (Moscow), Zenit (Saint Petersburg) are going to play in Champions League 2010/11. The three clubs have an impressive winning record and are likely to be tough sides in the main European football event.

Lokomotiv (Moscow) and CSKA (Moscow) will take part in UEFA Europa League. Both have enough class to reach the latest stages of the contest.

CSKA, established in 1911, is one of the best football clubs in Russia. CSKA holds 3 Russian Premier League titles, 4 Russian Cups and 4 Russian Super Cups. The recent Super Cup has been already won with a new manager, Zico.

Manager

Zico was one of the best players in world football, now he is a prominent manager. Zico has already collected some trophies: Asian Cup (2004), Turkish Super League Championship (2007), Turkish Super Cup (2007), Uzbek Cup (2008), Uzbek Oliy League Championship (2008), Russian Super Cup (2009).

Zico was given a new nickname by Fenerbahçe fans: Kral Arthur (”King Arthur”).

In Russia CSKA is often called a “Brazilian” club, due to the impact and number of Brazilian players, Zico is obviously developing this image, though CSKA game doesn’t depend on Brazilian players now.

Star players

Igor Akinfeev is a masterful goalkeeper, who can influence the game and neutralize the rival’s attacking potential. He is a first choice goalkeeper both for the club and the country. Akinfeev became an international player at the age of 18, he is currently 23 years old. He is also the youngest goalkeeper in Russian football history, who has not conceded a goal for 100 games.

Sergei Ignashevich has won Russian Premier League title with two clubs, Lokomotiv (Moscow) and CSKA. He is the most important defensive player both in CSKA and in Russian national team.

Miloš Krasić, Serbian international, is CSKA key midfielder. Reportedly he has been targeted by a number of European top-clubs.

Yuriy Zhirkov plays on the left wing and manages to be both a key defending and a key attacking player. In Russian national team he plays as a left defender, while in CSKA his position is more offensive. Russian Football Union called Zhirkov the best Russian football player in 2008.

Vagner Love is Russian Premier League best striker, he has won 21 caps for Brazil. Since 2004 Vagner Love has scored 58 goals for CSKA and made 105 appearances.

Local talent

Georgi Shchennikov, 17 years old, made 13 appearances for CSKA, most of them in the current season. Shchennikov recalls that just recently he has been “delivering balls“ to Yuriy Zhirkov and Vagner Love. Georgi Shchennikov plays as a left full-back.

Strengths

Squad. CSKA has a fantastic squad, Igor Akinfeev, Yuriy Zhirkov and Vagner Love are the best players on their positions in Russian Premier League. CSKA with 25 players has enough depth in the squad to substitute any player in case of injury.

Ambition. CSKA last won Russian Premier League 3 years ago and the players are hungered for the title.

Weakness

Understanding. The players are yet to find understanding with the new manager and his ideas.

Estimates

CSKA has got enough power to win the title this season, if the manager and the squad find common ground and Zico unlocks the potential of his players, it will be hard for any rival to overcome CSKA.

Soviet Top League was run since 1936 until 1991. Clubs from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia have competed for the title. Clubs from Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan failed to earn promotion to Soviet Top League.

18 clubs have topped the League, 8 clubs represented Russia, 5 clubs – Ukraine, clubs from Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Lithuania also have won Soviet Top League titles.

4 clubs can be called Soviet football elite: Dynamo (Kyiv, Ukraine), Spartak (Moscow, Russia), Dynamo (Moscow, Russia), CSKA (Moscow, Russia).

Dynamo (Kyiv, Ukraine)

Achievements

Soviet Top League winners: 1961, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1990 (13 times)
Soviet Top League runners-up: 1936, 1952, 1960, 1965, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1988 (11 times)

Нistory

Dynamo (Kyiv) is the most successful club in Soviet football history. Dynamo was founded in 1927 and has played only in the top leagues. Additionally to Soviet Top League titles it has won UEFA Super Cup, 2 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups, 9 USSR Cups, 3 USSR Super Cups.

In many ways Dynamo was a cutting-edge Soviet club, Dynamo hosted the opening match of The Soviet Top League championship in 1936, however, Dynamo failed to win the Soviet Top League until 1961, even though Dynamo was the first club based outside Moscow to clinch the title.

Late 60s and 70s was a brilliant time for Dynamo. The club gained three consecutive wins of Soviet Top League (1966 – 1968), a few Dynamo stars were voted best USSR players, Olekh Blokhin became the top goal scorer in two consecutive seasons.

In 1973 33-year old Valeriy Lobanovsky was introduced as a new coach and the “Lobanovsky era” baegan. Lobanovsky’s team won UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Super Cup, as well as a number of domestic cups and titles. Oleh Blokhin won the Golden Ball in 1975. Dynamo’s success grabbed attention to Lobanovsky’s methodology. In 1983 Lobanovsky became a head coach of USSR national football team.

Dynamo’s Soviet Top League history is a history of a battle between the Kyiv club and three Moscow squads, a battle, which Dynamo, holding 13 national titles, ultimately won.

Soviet time legends

Yozhef Sabo is a Soviet player and coach of Hungarian origin. He played for Dynamo in 1959 – 1969, and also coached the team in 1993 – 1997, 2005 – 2005. He is currently Dynamo vice-president. Sabo also won 40 caps for the USSR squad.

Valeriy Lobanovsky is a brilliant Ukranian manager, best known for his work with Dynamo and USSR national side. Dynamo home ground is called in his name, a monument to Valery Lobanovsky is situated in front of the stadium. As a player Lobanovsky made 144 appearances for Dynamo and won 2 caps for the national squad.

Viktor Bannikov was a prominent Dynamo player, he also made 14 appearances for the national side. He is considered one of the best Soviet goalkeepers.

Oleh Blokhin is one of the best Soviet strikers. He played for Dynamo in 1969 – 1988, scoring 211 goals. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1975. Blokhin won 112 caps for the USSR, scoring 42 goals. He is the best goalscorer of the Soviet Top League.

Volodymyr Bezsonov is a brilliant defender, he made 377 appearances for Dynamo in 1976-1990. Bezsonov also won 79 caps for the USSR.

Andriy Bal played for Dynamo in 1981–1990. At the 1982 FIFA World Cup he scored a memorable 20-meter against Brazil.

Spartak (Moscow, Russia)

Achievements

Soviet Top League winners: 1936, 1938, 1939, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1969, 1979, 1987, 1989 (12 times)
Soviet Top League runners-up: 1937, 1954, 1955, 1963, 1968, 1974, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1991 (12 times)

Нistory

Spartak was established in 1922 and was initially called MKS, Krasnaya Presnya, Pisheviki and Promkooperatzia. Spartak represented Soviet food industry and therefore got a nickname “meat”.

The name Spartak is called in the name of Spartacus, a gladiator-slave who led a rebellion against Rome, the name was proposed by Nikolai Starostin. The three Starostin brothers were prominent Spartak players in the 30s and 40s. The Starostin brothers were repressed by Lavrentiy Beria, head of Soviet secret police under Stalin. Beria was Dynamo (Moscow) patron, therefore severe competition between Spartak and Dynamo emerged. During the 50-s Spartak and Dynamo dominated Soviet Top League.

Spartak also won 10 USSR Cups and USSR Federation Cup.

Because of its popularity Spartak was called “the people’s team”.

Soviet time legends

Nikolai Starostin was a football and hockey player, he was one of the founders of Spartak football club. In the late 1930s many of Starostin’s friends and associates were arrested by Stalin’s secret police, Starostin himself was arrested in 1942. However, a few years later he was vindicated and in 1955 became Spartak president.

Igor Netto is one of the greatest Soviet players ever. He spent his whole career in Spartak, making 368 appearances and scoring 36 goals. Netto captained USSR side from 1954 to 1963, leading USSR to the gold medal in the 1956 Summer Olympics and victory at the European Championship in 1960. He also won 5 Soviet Top League titles and 3 Soviet Cups.

Nikita Simonyan is a prominent football player and manager, with Spartak he won Soviet Top League (4 times) and Soviet Cup (2 times). In 1949, 1950 and 1953 he was Soviet Top League top goalscorer. As a Spartak manager he won 2 Soviet Top League titles as well as 3 Soviet Cups.

Fyodor Cherenkov made 344 appearances for Spartak in Soviet Top League and also earned 34 caps for USSR. Due to his popularity he was called “people’s player”.

Rinat Dasayev is one of the best Soviet goalkeepers, in 1988 was awarded the World’s Best Goalkeeper of the Year title.

Evgeny Lovchev made 249 appearances for Spartak and won Soviet Football player of the Year in 1972.

Sergei Rodionov was a brilliant Spartak striker, he scored 119 goals for the club and became Soviet Top League top goalscorer in 1989.

Dynamo (Moscow, Russia)

Achievements

Soviet Top League winners: 1936, 1937, 1940, 1945, 1949, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1963, 1976 (11 times)
Soviet Top League runners-up: 1936, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1967, 1970, 1986 (11 times)

Нistory

Dynamo Moscow was founded as a factory team in 1887, in 1917 the club became an Interior Ministry club and gained its current name.

Dynamo won the first two Soviet Top League titles in 1936 and 1937 and also was the first Soviet club to tour the West in 1945. Dynamo earned a draw with Chelsea and Rangers, but won over Cardiff City and Arsenal.

In 1972 Dynamo won UEFA Cup Winners Cup, beating Scottish Rangers 3:2.

Soviet time legends

Lev Yashin is considered to be the greatest goalkeeper in the world football history. He was voted the best goalkeeper of the 20th century by the IFFHS. Yashin spent his entire career with Dynamo Moscow, from 1949 to 1971, winning 5 Soviet Top League titles and 3 USSR Cups. With USSR national team he won the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 1960 European Championship. From 1950 and 1953 Yashin was also Dynamo ice hockey team goalkeeper.

CSKA (Moscow, Russia)

Achievements

Soviet Top League winners: 1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1970, 1991 (7 times)
Soviet Top League runners-up: 1938, 1945, 1949, 1990 (4 times)

Нistory

CSKA was founded in 1911 as a football club of Skiing society. The club was called CSKA in 1960 and before that has changed 6 names, including impressive “Red Army Moscow”.

CSKA became a Soviet army club in 1928, all CSKA players had military ranks. Many talented conscripts were transferred to CSKA system from USSR army.

Soviet time legends

Yuri Nyrkov, major general, was a brilliant player of the late 40s CSKA. He started his football career in 1946, having fought in the World War II from 1941 to 1945. He won 3 caps for USSR national side.

Vsevolod Bobrov was one of the best Soviet strikers in the 40s. He is the only man, who captained both football and ice-hockey national teams on the Olympics. In football he was Soviet Top League top goalscorer in 1945 and 1947, in ice-hockey – Bobrov is the only player having scored 10 goals in one game.

Albert Shesternyov made 278 appearances for CSKA since 1959 until 1972, he also won 90 caps with USSR side. He was nominated for Ballon d’Or in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

Vladimir Kaplichny is a prominent CSKA and USSR national team captain. He won 62 caps with USSR team and made 288 appearances for CSKA.

Vladimir Fedotov is a son of a famous football and ice-hockey player. He spent his whole career in CSKA and won more caps for CSKA than any other player.

Very soon, on February 18, we’ll see Zico’s CSKA in action as CSKA faces Aston Villa in UEFA Cup.

The club

Founded in 1911 CSKA is one of the oldest football clubs in Russia. CSKA is also one of the most admired clubs in Russia, under former manager Valery Gazzaev it won a bunch of trophies: Russian Premier League (2005, 2006), Russian Cup (2005, 2006, 2008), Russian Super Cup (2006, 2007), UEFA Cup (2005).

CSKA is currently building a new stadium (30 000 seats), presumably, it will be opened in 2010.

The most powerful man in the club is Evgenii Giner, CSKA president since 2001.

CSKA is owned by British company Bluecastle Enterprises (49% of stock), Russian company AVO Capital (26%) and Russian Defense Ministry (25%). However, the owners of Bluecastle Enterprises and AVO Capital are unknown.

The coach

Zico was one of the best players in world football, as CSKA striker Vagner Love said, if you know nothing about Zico, you know nothing about football.

Zico is a prominent manager. In 2002 – 2006 he managed Japan national team, with Japan he won Asian Cup 2004.

In 2006 – 2008 Zico worked with Fenerbahche (Istanbul, Turkey). Under Zico Fenerbahche won Turkish Super League Championship (2007) and lifted Turkish Super Cup (2007).

Recently Zico coached FC Bunyodkor (Tashkent, Uzbekistan), one of the richest clubs in the ex-USSR countries.

The squad

On paper CSKA is arguably the best team in Russia. Unlike Zenit (Saint Petersburg) CSKA is not expected to sell many players in the short term.

Igor Akinfeev was the captain in 2007/2008 season. He is the best Russian goalkeeper and one of the most valuable players in CSKA.

Deividas Semberas, who plays as a right full-back, is a Lithuanian international and one of the most experienced players in the club. Central defender Sergei Ignashevich is another important player, he captained CSKA in 2005 – 2007.

Twins Aleksei and Vasili Berezutskis can play as wing backs or central defenders. They are Russian national team regulars. Nigerian international Chidi Odiah and Anton Grigoryev (Russia) are other options in defense.

Serbian international Milosh Krasich is one of the best midfielders in Russian Premier League, he is reportedly targeted by Real (Madrid).

Brazilian midfielders Ramon and Daniel Carvalho haven’t shown their best in the last two seasons, but their potential is high, both have played for Brazil on international level. 20 year old Pavel Mamaev, Bosnian international Elvir Rahimich and former Russia captain Evgeni Aldonin (all midfielders) are also expected to give opponents hell in the upcoming season.

In Yuriy Zhirkov and Alan Dzagoev, both Russian internationals, CSKA’s got brilliant attacking midfielders. Turkish Caner Erkin also has got plenty of skill and talent.

Finally CSKA’s got Vagner Love (Brazil), Russian Premier League best striker in 2007/2008. Other options for the striking position are Ricardo Jesus (Brazil), Dmitri Ryzhov (Russia), Tomash Necid (Czech Republic) – all young, all talented.

The expectations

The fans and the management expect Zico to bring some silverware next season. CSKA aim to win Russian Premier League and Russian Cup, progress in UEFA Cup is also eligible.

In terms of man-management Zico is expected to unlock the potential of several players: Ramon, Carvalho and Erkin.

FC Rubin (Kazan) is the current Russian Premier League champion. Rubin is based in the city of Kazan (1.1 inhabitants).

Rubin was founded in 1936 and was called “Iskra” (sparkle) until 1964. The only Rubin player who clinched into USSR national team was Viktor Kolotov in 1970. Rubin advanced to the top Russian football league in 2003.

The main financial supporter of FC Rubin is Kazan city administration, Rubin owes much to former Kazan major Kamil Iskhakov.

Gurban Berdiyew is current FC Rubin manager and vice-president. Berdiyew was born in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, his coaching career began in FC Khimik (Dzhambul, Kazakhstan). Berdiyew was appointed Rubin manager in 2001.

Rubin’s success was unexpected in 2008, Rubin started with 7 consecutive wins, which is the record for Russian Premier League.

Rubin FC star players are Sergei Semak (Russian, midfielder, captain, international player), Cristian Ansaldi (Argentinean, defender), Serhiy Rebrov (Ukrainian, midfielder, international player), Roman Adamov (Russian, forward, international player), Gokdeniz Karadeniz (Turkish, midfielder, international player).

FC CSKA

FC CSKA (Moscow) was founded in 1911, CSKA stands for Central Sports Club of Army, Russian Ministry of Defense is one of CSKA shareholders. CSKA is one of the most successful football clubs in Russia, it won Soviet Championship title 7 times and Russian Premier League title 3 times, in 2005 CSKA won UEFA cup. CSKA is the second for popularity football team in Russia.

CSKA are often referred to as “horses”, each year the supporters acknowledge best players with “Golden Horseshoe” award.

Valery Gazzaev is one of CSKA most successful managers, he worked with CSKA in 2001 – 2003, 2004 – 2008. July the 8th he announced his resignation by the end of the season.

CSKA new manager is Brazilian coach Zico (Arthur Antunes Coimbra), Zico previously coached Japan national football team, with Japan he won Asian Cup in 2004, FC Fenerbahce (Turkey) and FC Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan).

CSKA are current runners-up of Russian Premier League, they lost to FC Rubin by only 4 points.

FC CSKA star players are Igor Akinfeev (Russian, goalkeeper, captain, international player), Deividas Semberas (Lithuanian, right full back, international player), Sergei Ignashevich (Russian, defender, international player), Milos Krasic (Serbian, midfielder, international player), Yuriy Zhirkov (Russian, midfielder, international player), Alan Dzagoev (Russian, attacking midfielder, international player), Vagner Love, Vagner Silva de Souza (Brazilian, striker).

FC Dynamo

FC Dynamo (Moscow) is one of the oldest Russian football teams, it was founded in 1887. Since 1917 the club is associated with Soviet (later Russian) police. Dynamo won the first two Soviet Championship titles in 1936 and 1937, altogether Dynamo holds 11 Soviet Championship titles. In 1972 Dynamo won UEFA Cup Winners Cup.

Russia’s brightest goalkeeper Lev Yashin was a Dynamo player for 22 years (Yashin also was Dynamo ice hockey team goalkeeper).

Dynamo’s coach since 2006 is Andrey Kobelev, this is his first coaching experience.

Dynamo star players are Dmitri Khokhlov (Russian, midfielder, captain), Aleksandr Kerzhakov (Russian, striker), Vladimir Gabulov (Russian, goalkeeper, international player), Denis Kolodin (Russian, defender, international player), Tsvetan Genkov (Bulgarian, striker, international player).